MLB World Series Game 5: Rangers vs Cardinals Free Pick

As was the case last night, Major League Baseball will probably attract the larger viewing audience, over the National Football League, again tonight. The 2011 MLB World Series is down to a best of three affair as the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals have split the first four games at two wins apiece.

First pitch for this MLB Playoff betting action is slated for Monday, October 24, 2011, from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, at 8:05 PM ET

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Cardinals @ Rangers: Pivotal World Series Game 5 Preview

One team will be a win away from being crowned as the 2011 MLB World Series Champions after the Rangers and Cardinals battle in the Lone Star State tonight. After getting their lights turned out, 16-7 on Saturday night, the Rangers came back with a solid 4-0 shutout win in Game 4 on Sunday.

That brings us to brink as Game 5 is now the biggest game of the year for both clubs. We go back the Game 1 starters as Cardinals ace RHP Chris Carpenter takes ball for St. Louis. Texas will counter with LHP C.J. Wilson, who Carpenter beat 3-2 in the Series opener.

St. Louis must be brimming with confidence as Carpenter (3.52 PS ERA) takes to the hill tonight. Carp has been cruising as he has allowed just nine earned runs, on 19 hits over 23 innings of work, to earn a 3-0 2011 postseason record.

Texas can’t be anywhere near as confident with Wilson (7.17 PS ERA) on the bump as he has struggled lately. The lefty has been torched for 17 earned runs, on 25 hits over 21.1 innings, and holds an 0-3 record in the 2011 postseason.

MLB World Series Game 5 Betting Lines: Rangers vs. Cardinals Free Pick

We surf over the sportsbook at Bodog.com for tonight’s pivotal World Series Game 5 betting lines. For Game 1 of this series in St. Louis, with the same pitching match-up, the Rangers were +1.5 run underdogs.

Hitter for hitter, there isn’t a lot that separates these two clubs. That being said, the pressure is on the Rangers, as they don’t want to head back to St. Louis is a 3-2 Series hole. We expect the Texas players will be griping their sticks a little tighter than the Cardinals crew tonight.

We also don’t have a lot of faith in C.J. Wilson to get the job done on the mound and we like Chris Carpenter in this spot. As much as we like Texas to take Game 5, and the 2011 World Series, we can’t pass on the +1.5 runs that Carp and the Cards are getting here.

>>> Take STL over TEX at +1.5 (-190) with the Bodog Run Line <<<